Liberia: Grand Gedeans Want “Academic Fraudster” Grant’s Nomination Withdrawn

A group of concerned citizens from Grand Gedeh County are calling for the withdrawal of Alex C. Grant’s nomination as superintendent due to allegations of educational fraud in Liberia and elsewhere. The group, known as Concerned Grand Gedeans, believes that Grant’s nomination contradicts President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s pledge to prioritize integrity in appointments.

President Boakai on Tuesday nominated Grant as superintendent of the county. He was one of four named by the Liberian leader to serve as his chief lieutenants in four of the 15 counties. But Grant’s nomination has been met with huge objection and a barrage of criticisms due to what some asserting that he is bereft of integrity.

Grand Gedeans, in a statement on Wednesday, February, said the reconsideration of Grant’s nomination and immediate withdrawal would uphold the principles of integrity and ensure that only deserving and qualified individuals are appointed to positions of public trust under President Boakai’s administration.

Grant’s expulsion from the University of Liberia for educational fraud has been cited as a reason for the group’s demand for reconsideration and withdrawal of the nomination. The group provided evidence, including a letter from Ibadan University disclaiming Grant’s qualifications, to support their stance.

Another group, Concerned Citizens of Gbarzon District Against Academic Fraud, has also called for Grant’s resignation based on similar accusations of using fake academic credentials.

It can be recalled that Grant was 2021 exposed by the media for falsifying his academic qualifications while serving as Representative of District #3, Grand Gedeh County.

Based on the reports, the University of Liberia, where he was pursuing graduate studies, conducted a thorough investigation into Grant’s educational background, and he was expelled in 2022 for perpetrating educational fraud.

Grant claimed that he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Ibadan University in Nigeria, though the investigation revealed that he was never a student there. It was that fake credential that qualified him to pursue his master's in education at the University of Liberia.

“President Boakai, your leadership has always emphasized the importance of integrity and promoting qualified individuals for positions of responsibility. Your commitment to the people of Liberia included a promise to prioritize integrity and ensure qualified individuals are appointed to key positions,” the group stated.

The group further said the nomination of Grant, whose fraudulent actions have been widely publicized, would contradict the principles upon which President Boakai based his campaign and his commitment to the Liberian people.

Accordingly, the group, through a communication sent to the office of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, a copy of which is in the possession of the Daily Observer, attached the official letter from the Ibadan University, disclaiming Grant’s claims as well as a copy of his fake degree.

“These documents serve as substantial evidence of Grant’s behavior and we believe they should be considered in your decision-making process,” the group indicated.

However, upon reports of Grant’s educational fraud and subsequently his expulsion by the University of Liberia, a group under the banner “Concerned Citizens of Gbarzon District Against Academic Fraud,” headed by Milton Beh and Regina Paye, called for the immediate resignation of Grant as Representative of District #3, Grand Gedeh County.

The group indicated that their call was based on Grant using a fake undergraduate degree from the prestigious Ibadan University to seek admission to the graduate schools of both the University of Liberia and Cuttington.

“Grant does not support education because he does not value it. Grant's decision to fake his credentials should not be taken for granted,” the group said.

They called on the Grand Gedeh Legislative Caucus, the CDC Legislative Caucus, and the Southeastern Legislative Caucus to relieve him of the group’s chairmanship as he was not anymore honorable enough to preside over them. They urge Grant to apologize to the district, Grand Gedeh, and the nation for his actions.

Grand Gedeh County, established in 1964 and formerly known as the Eastern Province under the 1847 Constitution of Liberia, known for its iron ore reserves and forests, has a population of approximately 200,000 people. 

Located in the southeastern part of the country, the county is bounded on the Northwest through the North by Nimba, on the Northwest through the East by the Cavalla River forming the boundary with Cote d’Ivoire, on the South by River Gee County, and on the Southwest by Sinoe County. The total land area of Grand Gedeh County is 10,276 km", which is about 9.22% of the total land area of Liberia.  

Thus, in view of the above concerns, it is hoped that Boakai, will withdrawal Grant's nomination as superintendent of Grand Gedeh County at the earliest convenience. This county is blessed with highly educated men and women, both on the grand in Liberia and in the diaspora, one of them will be honored to be of service to his/her  people without hesitation.